The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board met at the Olympic House in Lausanne on Wednesday and Thursday. Many important decisions were made. The first announcement, made by Kirsty Coventry to the press around 4 p.m., was the designation of the four host cities for the Olympic Qualifying Series. For six sports (3x3 basketball, skateboarding, beach volleyball, BMX freestyle, sport climbing, and flag football), the road to Los Angeles 2028 will pass through Tokyo (May 4-7, 2028), Shanghai (May 11-14), Montreal (June 1-16), and Orlando (June 8-11). This was just a taste of what was to come, as the rest of the meeting proved to be far more revealing for the future of the Olympic Movement.
Reviewing the Youth Olympic Games and "taking back control" of the Olympic program
Bangkok, Asunción, and Santiago will have to wait a little longer than expected to find out who will host the 2030 Youth Olympic Games. No decision will be made in June, contrary to what was anticipated. Kirsty Coventry explained that it was necessary to " to make a break " to have a real reflection on the event and to define " a clear strategy This decision was made following a survey of FIs and NOCs, which highlighted that The Youth Olympic Games have a different meaning for different people. The IOC thus hopes to further the discussions already underway regarding the format of these Games. Currently, the Youth Olympic Games do not answer all the questions "Coventry believes.
Four new working groups have been established. They will focus on:
- the Olympic qualifying series, with the idea of finding a sustainable business model (group chaired by Octavian Morariu);
- the delivery of the Olympic Games (chaired by Tony Estanguet), in order to reduce complexities, enhance the experience, sustainability and legacy;
- autonomy, ethics and good governance (Nicole Hoevertsz);
- a better world through sport (Auvita Rapilla).
When questioned about the eSports Olympics, the president assured that the project was " alive and well ", but that the IOC had other priorities and was therefore focusing, in the immediate future, on its " core business "In particular, the Olympic program project. The dedicated working group has chosen to analyze things by discipline, and not by sport. Pierre Ducrey, IOC sports director, set the tone: the goal is to reduce the size and complexity of the Games."
There are 36 sports on the program for the Los Angeles 2028 Games, and Kirsty Coventry warns: there won't be as many in Brisbane in 2032. By adding sports, " We're seeing new costs, more spread-out Games, which add complexity for athletes, broadcasters, and so on. It changes the experience for all stakeholders. " explains Coventry, eager to regain control of the program She has officially closed the door on the idea of including non-snow and ice sports in the 2030 Winter Olympics, thus extinguishing the hopes of the UCI (cyclo-cross) and World Athletics (cross-country).
Open doors for Belarus, but not yet for Russia
The executive committee has also changed its policy regarding Belarusian athletes: it no longer recommends any restrictions on their participation, including in team competitions. Belarus will therefore be free to compete for quotas at the 2028 Dolomiti Valtellina Winter Youth Olympic Games and the 2028 Los Angeles Games. Should we expect the pressure on Russia to ease a little further as well? There is no timetable ", replies Coventry, noting that the situations are different: There have been constructive exchanges with the ROC, but the Belarusian Olympic Committee has never been suspended. The ROC still is. »
James Macleod, director of relations with the NOCs, explains that the ROC has brought " A lot of documents, very useful and interesting for the legal affairs committee A report will soon be submitted to the executive board. However, another obstacle could thwart Russia's plans: the state of its anti-doping efforts, as WADA recently announced that 302 sanctions had been imposed in 22 sports as part of its anti-doping program. LIMS Operations in Russia. In 2016 I was still an athlete and it's very important to me to ensure that the competition area is as clean and fair as possible. "Coventry reminded everyone.
